Walker's Time To Focus

GOALKEEPER Jim Walker has called for the Hammers squad to regroup after being denied all three points against Millwall, as they look to keep their Play-off hopes on track at Stoke City.

But the former Walsall stopper insists the point against the Lions is no cause for panic and the Club must now focus on taking a maximum haul from their trip to the Britannia Stadium.

"We didn't get the three points against Millwall and that was a bit disappointing," confessed Jim. "But now isn't the time to dwell on it. We're still in the Play-off race and we've got another vital game against Stoke on Tuesday that we have to concentrate on.

"Now is the time to regroup, put the Millwall game behind us and focus everything on getting the three points against Stoke. It's going to be another tough game and one which we really need to win.

"Everyone knows what's required. We've got four games left that we need to win. All we can do is concentrate on the results we can affect, and if we keep picking up points then we're always going to be in with a good chance."

The 31-year-old goalkeeper insists West Ham United remain in a good position to force their way into the Play-off places. Four points is the gap between themselves and Reading in sixth place, with Hammers holding a game in hand over the Royals that will be played against Stoke on Tuesday. It looks to be a must-win match, especially with the other Play-off chasing teams all in good form.

"The teams around us have all been playing well," he said. "They've all gone on good runs at exactly the same time as we have, which meant that even after six games undefeated we still haven't moved back into the top six.

"But there are some great teams in and around the Play-off places, who have a lot of experience in this division. Perhaps people have been a bit surprised that they have stayed the course, but sides like Preston, Derby and Reading are strong teams who deserve to be where they are.

"It's up to us to get enough points to overtake them and we've still got a good chance of doing that. Four points is the gap and we've got four games to make up that ground."

Despite experiencing both promotion and relegation battles during his time at Walsall, Jim insists he is not the type of player who sets points totals for the end of a season.

"Different players approach these situations differently," he explained. "Personally, I don't pay too much attention to points totals. I think the aim should be to win your games, and I go out there to take maximum points off whoever we play.

"We can't do anything about the results of the other Play-off teams. We've just got to win, and if we do that against Stoke we will put ourselves right back into contention."